To split or not to split that is the question...

To me it does not matter if it is dry
just stack off the ground
But I would split it and be done with it
You never know what will come to you next

Gotrek said:

Plus I need the exercise I'm two cords in so far I enjoy the splitting more then bucking them with the chainsaw. I think I'm going to buy a long bar (48")for my big saw so I can buck 6 - 8 logs in one shot

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My Stihl 026 makes bucking fun 'cause it hardly weighs anything and cuts logs like it's possessed. That's bucking fun!

Gotrek said:

Whether it is nobler in the mind.....


Anyways. I received a bunch of pine logs (8-10ft in length) a truck loads worth. Nothing fancy; pine, but I started splitting it as per the routine and got to wondering. There is more then I will use this winter (probably enough for 2-3 years).

Should I split and stack all of it or am I better to keep some of it around as logs. The wood is already very dry 10-14% moisture content. It's mostly all debarked fire killed or pine beetle killed.

Does it preserve better whole or cut and split?

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Split it. Anything less is just procrastination.

Where in Manitoba are you?

WoodyIsGoody said:

My Stihl 026 makes bucking fun 'cause it hardly weighs anything and cuts logs like it's possessed. That's bucking fun!

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My 026 and I haven't run into anything we can't handle.
Had it at least 20 years

gerry100 said:

My 026 and I haven't run into anything we can't handle.
Had it at least 20 years

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One of the truly great mid-sized saws. I can't believe how durable it is and how the compression/power/reliability haven't suffered at all in 20 years of cutting. I did replace the sparkplug once (not that it needed it but I figured after 12-13 years it was time). Three or four years ago I needed to replace the fuel pick-up and I wore a drive sprocket out but, other than that, the powerhead and two Rollomatic bars have been trouble free. Pretty good considering about all it has seen is 10% ethanol and a 50:1 oil mix and it remains fueled up more often than run dry.

A few weeks ago I added a Stihl MS 261 C-M to my fleet of one. I think this is the first 50cc saw since the 026 was introduced that bests it. For a while the new saw designs were getting heavier and losing power but the 261 with it's M-tronic brain is more powerful, smoother and, while I've never had trouble starting the 026, it's easier starting. The MS 261 M-C is as perfect a saw as I've ever used and it only weighs a few ounces more than the 026.

Gotrek said:

Funny that's what I own as well. I do love it its a great saw. But like splitting more

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Splitting and bucking both have their charms but I think bucking edges out for me because that's when I'm actually scoring the wood and loading it in my truck. I also like the problem solving/creativity of bucking. Depending upon how the tree is laying, I need to figure out how to buck it up with the least effort/danger.

Gotrek said:

Half done... (well that's a lie, what I mean is, of the two piles I had, one pile is done, the smaller pile)

5 cords stacked so far (picture taken just before I finished splitting and staking what's on the ground) The other pile is probably 6-7 more cords, I'm running out of room but this should last me 2 years maybe even 3.
View attachment 198380

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What do you burn those in? Some pieces on the left look like they're over two feet long!

I consciously try to force myself to cut shorter because it's easier to load and seasons noticeably quicker.